Arsenal coach expressed his view regarding new defender
2 min read
On Sunday Riccardo Calafiori made his debut for Arsenal and helped the Gunners to defeat Lyon by a score line of 2-0 to end their pre-season campaign with a bang.
Mikel Arteta suggested that new signing Riccardo Calafiori immediately felt the “love” of the 12th man of the club after making a winning debut in the Emirates Cup.
Gunners boss praised a “positive pre-season” after a 2-0 victory over Olympique Lyonnais ahead of their Premier League first game against Wolves on Saturday. Paring center-backs William Saliba and Gabriel scored the only goals in the first half to hand Arteta a comfortable win.
But the excitement of the sunny afternoon came when the new signing Calafiori who costed the Gunners a total amount of £42m came on after the break.
After the match Arsenal coach revealed that it’s so important for fans to cheer up one of their own and that will lift the spirit of other new players.
Arteta said “I just love it when the fans react like that to one of your own. The way you feel it straight away, it’s love, you are respected, they are right behind you. And that’s an unbelievable platform for someone to join our club. That’s the platform for many players to join our club.”
The former Bologna defender and Italian perfomer at Euro 2024, played as a left-back and after Arteta made six changes then he moved to centre-back after 77th minutes.
After player switched positions Arsenal coach was soo happy about the quality the defender possess as he can play more than one position.
Arteta said “He brings a lot of versatility because he can play in two or three different positions and especially in attack, occupy different spaces because he’s a real defender.
“When you see his press and physicality, how he goes into duels, it’s unbelievable. And then obviously he’s done a lot last year, he’s a player than can improve us.”
After signing two players David Raya who is a goal keeper and defender Calafiori, Arsenal are still searching for a new midfielder and goal poacher.
Arsenal are also set to lose their star player Eddie Nkietah who is rumourred to be a target for Marseille while Takehiro Tomiyasu sustained knee injury that will keep him out for weeks.
BY LUCKY SEANEGO
